Terry Whittingham, from Salt Lake City, is only in Manhattan for one day, but she still set aside time to participate in the NYC Easter Parade in front of St. Patrick’s Cathedral on 5th Avenue.
Founded in the 1870s, the annual parade is famous for its accompanying Bonnet Festival.
“This is my first year attending,” Ms. Whittingham told The Epoch Times. “We’re actually here to go on a cruise out of New York and the Easter Parade is on my bucket list.”
Ms. Whittingham, who spent two minutes yesterday creating an Easter hat for the parade, doesn’t plan on voting in Tuesday’s primary because she’ll be out at sea.
Voters will be choosing between former President Donald Trump on the Republican ballot and current President Joe Biden on the Democrat ballot. Other candidates expected to be listed include Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.), author and politician Marianne Williamson, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley.
“I don’t care about voting right now because of the candidates we have, but I should care,” Ms. Whittingham added.
Astoria, Queens, resident Jild Spotto has attended the parade yearly since 1970. He began building his high top hat two weeks ago with purchases from dollar stores. His inspiration is the energy of the Springtime.
“It’s always a good beginning of Spring to come to St. Patrick’s on a beautiful, sunny Sunday and experience the energy of New York,” Mr. Spotto told The Epoch Times. “It’s like art therapy and much cheaper than a psychiatrist.”
Mr. Spotto plans to vote on Tuesday but he isn’t thrilled with the candidates.
“It’s a pretty sad situation,” he said.
It took Andrew Sirjue two days and $50 to build his Bronx Zoo-inspired, two-tiered Easter bonnet. Childhood trips to the New York Botanical Gardens inspired the hat’s base.
“I remember my parents used to take me there when I was a kid and I was just inspired by all the butterflies, the dragonflies, the bees, the birds, the flowers,” Mr. Sirjue told The Epoch Times. “The bottom tier is about all the animals I remember coming alive at the zoo during the spring, and finally getting to see them.”
The Far Rockaway resident has already voted. He took advantage of early voting, which began on March 23.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the Early Mail Voter Act into law last year.
“I wish they would have had more candidates,” Mr. Sirjue added. “I think we need to get rid of the two-party system. I voted for the one I think can do the better job and clean up the United States but I’m not gonna tell you who.”
Christian Pietrapiana has been attending the parade for a few years and each year he builds upon the same environmental protest hat. The Sunnyside, Queens, resident says society is choking on plastic, which is why his hat is adorned with empty plastic containers.
“I’m here on behalf of the planet,” Mr. Pietrapiana told The Epoch Times. “Spring is about celebrating spirituality and rebirth but we’re not helping.”
Mr. Pietrapiana won’t be voting on Tuesday because he’s registered as an independent. The visual artist looks forward to voting during the general election in November.
“One candidate seems to be decent, not the other one,” he added.
Salechi Enzo, who attended the parade with her daughter, Gaby, spent about $20 on decorating.
Visiting from Brazil, Ms. Enzo’s hat was made with butterflies and the dog in her arms was wearing an Easter bunny suit.
“Butterflies represent freedom and renaissance,” Ms. Endo told The Epoch Times. “I added rhinestones so the butterflies will glitter.”
Ms. Enzo won’t be voting because she’s not a U.S. citizen and lives in Brazil.
Sergio Valdemez, whose hat was decorated with dog figurines, brought two of his four rescue dogs.
“I love dogs,” he said. “I rescue dogs and it’s so much fun to dress them. They don’t mind. They love it and have a lot of fun.”
Although Mr. Valdemez plans to vote on Tuesday, he isn’t pleased with his choices, either.
“I’m not too crazy about our politics right now,” Mr. Valdemez added.
Lisa Evans has attended the parade two years in a row.
“It’s a great parade,” Ms. Evans told The Epoch Times. “There’s not too many people and it’s celebrating Easter, which is lovely.”
Ms. Evans took two hours to decorate a hat with doves, roses, eggs and green moss.
“My friend came over,” Ms. Evans added. “She and I made them yesterday. We’re meeting her in a minute.”
